The art of giving

This gift guide may seem a bit early for some, but not for us Dutch people who also celebrate Sinterklaas on the 5th of December. I always enjoy the festive stuff that comes with the holiday season. The food, decorations (can I put up my christmas tree already?) and gifts of course. Above you’ll find a few things that I wouldn’t mind receiving, so consider this guide a personal wish list as well. Some items are affordable, others a bit more expensive. But you should be able to find something similar for a much friendlier price.

1. H&M paddle hair brush (€7,99). This hair brush comes in two sizes. The smaller one is perfect for carrying around in your bag in case of emergencies. If you have a little more to spend though, you can never go wrong with the iconic Mason Pearson brush ($190). 2. Diptyque Scented Oval ($45). I’m sure most of us are familiar with Diptyque’s scented candles and perfumes, but why not take it a little further to your closet or drawer? 3. Byredo Gypsy Water oil roll-on ($78). That’s a lot of money for such a small amount right? But with perfumed oils a little goes a long way. Fresh yet woody, this oil is inspired by smoky campfires and pine forests with hints of Bergamot, Amber and Vanilla. 4. Yves Klein framed art print ($236). Allposters.com (or .nl if you’re from the Netherlands) offers a wide range of posters and prints. My personal favourites are the art prints, such as the one above. It’s so easy to order a beautiful print and frame it yourself. 5. Various Projects key tag ($15), for the best selection of clean and simple key tags. You can choose from an endless amount of options but you can also customise your own tag.

6. Fashionology tiny silver hoop earrings (€10). I’ve said it before and I will say it again; I love delicate jewellery. I’ve been wearing the same silver studs for over 4 years and these hoops would be a nice change. 7. A.P.C. room spray ($35). Perfect for those of us who are not that much into candles (or are likely to burn their house down). Toumbac is my preferred scent of the four options with fleur d’oranges as a close second. 8. Smythson Panama notebook ($80). A great gift for him or her. A luxurious leather notebook with embossed gold lettering. It doesn’t get more extravagant than that, I guess. Of course Moleskine offers great and practical notebooks for just a fraction of aforementioned price. 9. Fashionology tiny tag necklace (€50). A solid sterling silver necklace for everyday wear. 10. Comme des Carçons leather wallet ($197). I’ll be the first one to admit that it’s a hefty price tag for a wallet. But trust me when I say that these are indestructible and will last you many years. I already own the one pictured above and I highly recommend it!

Do you have anything on your wish list for Sinterklaas or Christmas?